barrett: 154 months old

 

While it feels like we've got all the time in the world, in fact Barrett's 13th! birthday is fast approaching in May and I'm not ready!  First off, I can't believe I'm about to have 2 teenagers.  Second, he wants a party that isn't a pool party at the house, so that involves planning and calling and scheduling and sending out invites, and he's now past the point of "party themes" so I'm trying to figure out decorations and a cake without a theme guiding me.

Barrett had his 7th grade art show tonight!  He made a model of a ship with a group, and was in charge of blending the paint for the waves.  He did a great job!  He's decided to take Art 3 next year, which is a high school fine art credit.

Likes: plain white tee shirts, that we planned ahead and bought 2 pairs of glasses (he broke his in Paris)

Dislikes: taking Poppy on walks - she doesn't listen!

199 months old

 

I promise I will catch up!  March has flown by, and while I got pictures late, I've also been quite lazy about getting them into a post.  That's on me!  We are firmly in the middle of the second half of Britton's junior year, and I just know that I should enjoy this time, as senior year, by all accounts, is a logistical nightmare of college deadlines and choices, harder classes, and transition overall.  But we're not there yet!  

Britton's softball season is officially halfway through, and she will finish up in April.  We have NCL's Senior Recognition this weekend, which we've never attended in our 5 years of NCL so far.  Because we're the junior class we help out, but we'll also get to enjoy the gala.  As class president, Britton is doing the invocation, which of course she has no worries about, because she doesn't fear public speaking like her mother!

Likes:  softball, feeding Ginger the stray cat, hanging out with her friends

Dislikes: weird tan lines from softball, AP Biology

barrett: 153 months old

 

Almost a month late posting??  Yes, February was brutal.  How can it be the hardest and shortest month of the year?  We're off the high and bustle of the holidays, but just a month away from spring break.  And everyone in this house needs the break.  We lost my mom on February 17th - "Cammy" as she was known to her grandkids.  We all went to her service and I did the eulogy, and Barrett looked so handsome in a tie.  

198 months old

 
                                         

Posting late because that's just how February was!  I was out of town for Valentine's Day because my mom had surgery, so I don't have any fun photos.  Britton has been trucking away at softball this season, playing first and showing the freshmen how it's done.  We went to see "Beauty and the Beast" and absolutely loved it!

barrett: 152 months old

 

Going back to school this week has been rough on everyone, especially Barrett.  He absolutely loved loafing around over Christmas break, with no demands on his time other than playing, riding bikes with friends, and trying out the new Madden 26 video game.  I feel his pain - I may have shed a tear or two on my early commute Monday morning.  He did have a great time at Disney World before Christmas, and discovered a love of roller coasters!  We tried out Slinky Dog, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, and Cosmic Rewind.  Unfortunately, my favorite Big Thunder was down for renovations.  He and the hubs were also the only ones willing to risk getting soaked on the new Tiana ride (previously Splash Mountain).  

Likes: Planet Coaster - a video game where you can create roller coasters

Dislikes: going to bed at a reasonable time now that school is back in session

197 months old

We had a fantastic Christmas this year, taking the kids to Disney World to see all the Christmas decorations and attend Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party!  We left on the last day of school, and arrived home on Christmas Eve.  It was a whirlwind trip, and I don't think we ever stopped going (20k steps per day!) and admittedly once we got home we vegged out hard.  

Britton has softball tryouts this week!  I'm sending "good luck" vibes her way!

Likes:  Nella

Dislikes: putting away laundry

barrett: 151 months old

Barrett's hair just gets better and better!  He's taking advantage of the cooler weather by growing it longer, and it looks amazing.  Barrett has final exams coming up, but his mind is definitely on what might be under the tree come Christmas morning.  He wants some legos and airplane models, but other than that it's been hard to figure out what to get him!  I think this pre-teen age is always a struggle to not just heap "stuff" onto him, but to really dial down into what presents he'd really get enjoyment out of.  

Likes:  going on the hayride to see Christmas lights

Dislikes: having to share his video game system and the tv when Britton wants to play Stardew Valley and he wants to play Madden